Is Discovery really a true U.S. ProTour team?
In response to Ms. Alden’s comments about Discovery not being a truly American team and the apparent lack of US talent in Europe: 1) Davitamon Lotto is a Belgian team, but they have 2 Australians and 2 Americans in their initial line-up for the tour. Similarly, most teams that are “based” in a particular country are not made up entirely of that country’s riders, with the exceptions of Bouygues Telecom and Euskadel-Euskadi. Diversity is the trademark of Pro Tour teams now. 2) Here’s a list of Americans racing in the Pro Tour Ranks: George Hincapie, Floyd Landis, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, Freddy Rodriguez, Bobby Julich, David Zabriskie, Tyler Farrar (not in the tour, but just picked up by Cofidis), Christian Vandevelde, Saul Raisin (on the comeback from a coma – he was a rising star). Apparently, there’s not a lack of American talent at all… just look at who’s in the maillot jaune.
